Agrobank has announced an allocation of RM50 million towards its Agro Pintar Niaga Programme (AgroPintar), aimed at enhancing access to microfinancing for small-scale entrepreneurs nationwide. In addition to this commitment, the bank has earmarked RM5 million in i-TEKAD matching grants to support the initiative.
According to a statement released yesterday, Group President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the programme is designed to benefit over 4,000 microentrepreneurs, particularly those from low-income communities. AgroPintar will provide financial assistance through business and contract farming schemes, alongside capacity-building elements.
“AgroPintar is a comprehensive programme offering more than just financing and i-TEKAD grants. It also features critical modules focused on entrepreneurship and business ethics,” he said during the programme’s official launch.
Emphasising the importance of financial education, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah highlighted that the programme includes training on financial management, credit risk control, and debt handling. He added that the overarching goal is to improve the competitiveness and decision-making abilities of participating microentrepreneurs.
“Through structured guidance, participants will gain the necessary knowledge and tools to make sound business and financial decisions, ultimately improving their ability to manage various aspects of their operations effectively,” he explained.
The programme’s impact will be monitored after six months to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for further improvement.
This initiative aligns with Agrobank’s broader mission to cultivate resilient, forward-thinking and sustainable entrepreneurs. It is expected to contribute significantly to economic empowerment and social development across the microenterprise segment.
AgroPintar is spearheaded by Agrobank’s Centre of Excellence (ACE) and Microfinance Division, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to empowering microentrepreneurs across Malaysia.
In conjunction with the launch, Agrobank also introduced a new financial literacy video series developed in strategic collaboration with the Financial Education Network (FEN). The 12-episode series, featuring popular social media influencer Sir Asai, is targeted at school-aged children and is designed to make financial learning engaging and relatable.
The initiative promotes financial awareness through the 3S approach — Spend, Save and Share — with the aim of instilling responsible money habits among the younger generation from an early age.
-Bernama
